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Objectives. We conducted a clinic-based study of erythrocyte cholinesterase levels, pesticide exposures, and health effects among farmworkers and nonfarmworkers to determine risks for exposure and associated morbidity. Methods. Two hundred two farmworkers and 42 nonfarmworkers were recruited sequentially at two community health centers. Erythrocyte cholinesterase levels were measured colorimetrically. Questionnaires obtained data on demographics, occupational history, exposures, and symptoms. Results. Cholinesterase levels were significantly lower among farmworkers (30.28 U/g hemoglobin) than among nonfarmworkers (32.3 U/g hemoglobin). Twelve percent of farmworkers, but no nonfarmworkers, had very low levels. Farmworkers applying pesticides also had lower cholinesterase levels. One half of farmworkers reported being sprayed by pesticides and working in fields with an obvious chemical smell. Of reported symptoms, only diarrhea was associated with cholinesterase levels. Reported exposures, however, were strongly associated with symptoms. Conclusions. Farmworkers reported many pesticide exposures that violate state and federal regulations. Farmworkers had cholinesterase levels significantly lower than those of nonfarmworkers, although only spraying pesticides was associated with very low levels. (Am J Public Health. 1994;84:446-451), Migrant farmworkers are exposed to pesticides in a way that violates state and federal laws and may show lower cholinesterase levels than the rest of the population. The amount of cholinesterase in a person's body has been recognized as a way of determining exposure to pesticides, though the effect of the low cholinesterase levels has not been fully explained. Erythrocyte cholinesterase levels were measured for 202 farmworkers and 42 non farm-laborers. Both groups also filled out questionnaires used to determine their exposure to pesticides. Acetylcholinesterase levels were found to be lower in the farmworkers than the non-farmworkers, 30.18 International Units per gram (U/g) of hemoglobin and 32.20 U/g hemoglobin, respectively. Farmworkers who reported spraying pesticide showed the lowest levels of cholinesterase in the study, 2.7 U/g hemoglobin lower than other farm laborers. Two-thirds of the health related problems associated with pesticides showed a correlation with lower cholinesterase levels in the farmworkers studied.